Drawbridge circuit controller and operating means therefor



,June 29, 1937. T, G. sTlLEs 2,085,513

DRAWBRIDGE CIRCUIT CONTROLLER AND OPERATING MEANS THEREFOR Filed Nov. 9, 1954 s sheets-sheet 1 T. G. STI LES June 29, 1937.

DRAWBRIDGE CIRCUIT CONTROLLER AND OPERATING MEANS THEREFOR Filed Nov. 9, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 J n. .i A mf m E O we n MJ. .\A w 6 a m um. ,m @//l/VM v m/ Y, m B kw Mm T. G. sTlLEs A2,085,613 DRAWBRIDGE CIRCUIT `CON'IROLLJR ANDl OPERATING MEANS THEREFOR June 29, 1937.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 lFiled Nov. 9, 1954 ATTORNEY.

55 the projection therethrough of the sliding con- CnA lil

Patented June 29, 1937 UNITED STATES DRAWRIDGE CIRCUIT CONTROLLER AND OPERATING MEANS THEREFOR Thomas George Stiles, Arlington, N. J.

Application November 9, 1934, Serial No. 752,262

10 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in drawbridge circuit controllers and operating means therefor; the circuit controllers of the present invention being of the same general type as that disclosed in my prior PatentNo. 1,030,622, dated June 25, 1912. l

One of the main objects of the invention is to combine circuit controllers of this type with a bridge locking mechanism whereby the latter, when operated to either lock or unlock the bridge, will thereby automatically operate the controllers to either close or` open the circuits, -as may be desired.

Other objects and advantages of the invention ,V Willbe referred to in the detailed description of the invention which follows.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanymg drawings, in which I have shown a traction track circuit controller and an indicator circuit controller both combined with a bridge locking mechanism for operation thereby.

In these drawings- Fig. 1 is a plan of the bridge locking mechanism and circuit controllers embodying my invention, with the parts shown in closed or operative positions as when the bridge is closed.

Fig. 2 is a similar view with the parts in open or inoperative positions as when the bridge is open or ready to be opened.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the controller unit with the traction track circuit controller in closed position, as in Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a similar View of the controller unit with the traction track circuit controller in open L, position as in Fig. 2.

Fig, 5 is a View similar to Fig.'3 on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 6 is a View of the bridge abutment member of the traction track circuit controller shown in Figs. 3 and 4, on the same enlarged scale as that of Fig. 5, and showing in full and dotted lines the two positions of the movable parts.

Fig. '7 is a cross section on the line` 'l-l of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a plan view similar to Fig. 1, but on an enlarged scale, with some of the parts broken away and in section for the clearer illustration of the details of construction.

Similar reference characters designate likeV parts in the several figures of the drawings.

In these drawings,` I indicates the casing of the draw-bridge abutment member of the traction track circuit controller, which casing is in the form of a rectangular open top box having its forward end provided with a perforation for tact rod I0 of lthe controller. YThis casing may be xed to the abutment member of the bridge, indicated generally at A, in any suitable manner, as by means of bolts or screws (not shown) (Cl. lli- 35) passing through openings 3-3 formed in the bottom of the casing and in transverse reinforcing strips i--fl attached to the under side of the casing at such points. A plurality of these openings 3-3, arranged lengthwise of the casing as shown, are provided to permit of the adjustment of the casing with its supported parts lengthwise of 'the abutment and relatively to the casing on the bridge carrying the contact element with which the rod I0 cooperates.

Slidably mounted on the casing I, preferably by means of rollers 6 attached to` the'sidesof the latter near its top, is a cover l. This cover has depending flanges 8 at the sides and rear end thereof which extend down over the outside of the upper edges of the casing to keep out rain, snow, etc. ing contact rod Ill for movement therewith, by means to be presently described, and is of a length sufficiently greater than the casing` I `as to effect a telescoping connection with the adjacent end of the bridge member of the controller when the electrical contacts of the traction track circuit controller are engaged, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. When the electrical contacts of this controller are disengaged, as in Fig. 4, the rear end of the cover will `extend a substantial Said cover is connected with the sliddistance rearwardly of the end wall of the cas-1 ed depending bracket arm I5 in which is fixedly mounted a horizontally arranged rod I6, which latter at its forward end slidingly extends through an opening in the rear wall of the casing I and is connected through the medium of an insulating block I1 (see Fig. 6) with the rear end of thesliding contact rod I at a point within said casing. In this way the cover 1 and Contact rod Eil are united for simultaneous movement upon the shifting of said rod to and from its position of electrical contact with the cooperating element of the controller. The rod I6 at its rear end is connected with the bridge locking mechanism whereby the contact rod and attached cover will be operated by said mechanism in a manner to be presently described.

The contact rod l0, which is of the same general character as the contact rod described in my prior patent aforesaid, projects at its forward end, as hereinbefore referred to, through a perforation in the end wall member of the casing in which it is slidably supported. This end wall member, indicated at 2U, is formed of insulating material and is removably secured in position at the end of the casing by` suitable fastening means, such as the retaining brackets 2| attached to the side walls` of the', casing and having inwardly turned flanges engaging the member 2D within peripheral recesses therein as shown. Secured to the rear side of the Wall member s a series of spring finger contacts 23 which engage the angular edges of the rod I0, which latter as here shown is hexagonal in cross section (see Fig. 7). Preferably the spring contacts are secured to a suitable base 24 by means of bolts 25 engaging the member 20 through openings therein as shown. Also carried by said base 24 are the terminals, such as 26, for the attachment of the circuit wires, such as 21. Y

The complementary member of the circuit controller, carried on the draw-bridge, indicated generally at B, comprises a generally rectangular casing 38 corresponding substantially with the casing I on the draw-bridge abutment just described and having openings 3| in its bottom Wall to receive fastening screws (notfshown) for securing the same to the bridge member.

Secured in the front end of the casing by 2O retaining brackets 33, similar to the brackets 2l hereinbefore described, is a Wall member 34 Which is preferably made of insulating material and provided with a perforation to receive Ytherethrough the end of the contact rod lil when the latterl is advanced to close the traction circuit upon the closing ofthe bridge. Mounted on the rear face of the member 34'is a series of spring contacts 136 constructed, arranged and mounted like the spring contacts 23 in the casing l, these contacts Ybeing secured to a base 31 by means of bolts38 engaging the member 34 through openings therein and Vwhich base carries terminals 39 for the attachment of circuit wires 40 which form `continuations of the leads or wires 21 connected to theV contacts 23 carried by the casing l.

As a means to increase the contact surface of the socket elements o1 this controller, as composed of the two sets of spring iingers 23 and 36, with the'contact rod I0, whereby a quick pick-up of current is `assured when the rod I0 is brought into circuit closingY position, I supplement each of said sets of spring ngers 23 and 36 with a second set rof fingers, indicated at 23 and 36 respectively, Which are positioned immediately below the lingers of the first sets and secured in position on the base members by the same fastening bolts which secure the outer fingers, as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6; these supplemental spring lingers being of less length than the outer ones andy adapted to engage with the contactrrod at the rear of the latter as shown.

The circuit in which the described controlleris employed is, as stated, a traction track circuit, the circuit wires connecting with the electrical contact elements of the controller being adapted to have electrical connection in usual manner with track sections or rails, such as indicated at 5D and 5l, mounted respectively on the draw-bridge V and draw-bridge abutment.

and break the circuits through them to the :re-V

spective indicators. These indicator contacts, as

here shown, each comprise a pair of oppositelyy suitable means.

disposed contact springs through which the circuit is made and broken by the engagement and disengagement respectively of the adjacent ends of the contact rod 65. These contact springs are mounted on cross panels of insulating material, the panel carrying the device 60 being indicated at 6l and that carrying the device 60 being indicated at 6|' and both being secured at their ends to the opposite side walls of the casing by suitable angle pieces 62. Preferably the spring contacts are secured to the panels by screws or bolts l which are of suiiicient length to constitute binding posts for the attachment of the usual circuit Wires, such as indicated at ll.

The Contact rod of this indicator circuit con troller is mounted about centrally thereof in a bracket arm 66 xedly attached toa horizontally arranged carrier rod 61, Which latter is slidingly mounted in openings in the panels 6l and 6 i with its rear end extending outwardly through the rear end of the casing for connection with certain operating means to be presently described. A bushing 88 of insulating material in the opening of the arm 66 in which the contact rod 65 is supported serves to insulate the latter from said arm, as shown in Figs. 5 and 8.

.The draw-bridge locking means as here shown comprises a locking rod mounted on the drawbridge abutment and a socket member mounted on ,the draw-bridge to receive one end of said locking rod. The locking rod, indicated at 80, is mounted for horizontal sliding movement within openings formed in raised ribs 8I-8I on a base member or casting 82 which is iirmly secured to the bridge abutment by a suitable fastening means, such as screws or bolt (not shown), and the socket, indicated at 84, to receive the end of said rod is formed in a raised rib 85 mounted on a second base member or casting 86 which is firmly secured on the drawbridge by a suitable fastening means, such as screws or bolts (not shown). Said locking rod is operativelyconnected with the slidable contact rod I0 of the traction circuit controller through the medium of a rod 87 which is rigidly i attached at one end to the locking rod and at its opposite end with the rear end of the rod i6 at a point outside 'of the casing l, this latter rod I6 being connected at its front end with the contact rod l! at a point within the casing as hereinbefore described. With this arrangement of parts, when the locking rod on the bridge abutment is advanced into locking engagement with the socket member on the bridge, following the closing of the latter, the contact rod I0 is thereby moved into circuit closing contact with the cooperating contact device on the bridge, as shown in Fig. 1. Subsequently, upon the withdrawal of the locking rod from locking engagement with its cooperating socket member to permit opening of the bridge, said contact rod will also -be thereby Withdrawn from engagement with its cooperating contact device and so break the circuit, as shown in Fig. 2.

The locking rod may be operated for movement to and from its locking position by any As shown in Fig. l, ithas a pin and slot connection with the end of a rocker arm 88 fixed to an oscillating shaft 89, which latter may be'operated by any usual or suitable mechanism.

As a means to also effect operation of the indicator circuit controller in cooperation with the traction circuit controller upon the locking and unlocking of the bridge, I slidably mount .a rod A` rigid connection between this rod 9U `and the carrier rod 61 of the indicator contact rod 65 is effected by a cross rod 95 rigidly connected at its opposite ends with said rods 90 and 61 respectively adjacent their rear ends as shown. With this combination and arrangement of parts', when the operator withdraws the locking rod 80 from locking engagement with its cooperating socket member, preliminary to the opening of the draw-bridge, the connected contact rod I6 of the traction circuit controller is at the same time positively withdrawn from its cooperating c-ontactdevice to thereby break such circuit. At the same time, the rod 90, under the inuence of the spring 92, is caused to follow up the engaging rod 60, from the position shown in Figs. l

'and 8 to that shownin Fig. 2,.and thereby move the contact rod 65 of the indicatorcircuit controller from engagement with the cooperating `Contact device 60 of the .open indicator circuit to engagement with the co-operating contact device 60' of the closed indicator. Thereafter, upon the closing of the bridge, when the locking rod 80 is moved to locking position, such movement will advance the contact rod l0 into example of any of the mechanical connectionsv engagement with its cooperating contact device to close the traction track circuit and at the same time will engage with the rod 90 and move the sam-e rearwardly against the pressure of the spring 92 to shift the contact rod 65 from engagement with the contact device 60 of the closed indicator and into engagement with the contact device 60 of the open indicator to effect operation of the latter.

The indicator instrument proper, which indicates` closed when the bridge is closed and open when the bridge is open,V is ordinarily located in the so-called operating room of the operating tower, and by combining the circuit controller of this with the circuit controller of the track circuit through a common operating means, suchfor example, as the bridge locking `mechanism herein disclosed, it will .be understood that the operation of the indicator in the operating room will show the operator there whether the main or track circuit controller is functioning properly. If it is not, because for being broken or otherwise out of order, such fact will be indicated to the operator because of the like failure ofthe indicator to function. In other words, the association of the indicator circuit controller with the main or track circuit controller for operation from a common control, will result in failure of the indicator to properly l function in the event of the failure of the main or track circuit controller to properlyfunction and show the operator accordingly. In this Way, possibility of damage resulting because `ofthe lack of proper functioning of the track circuit controller is avoided.

The traction track circuit of the main controller herein described is adapted for a high current',l such for example, as one of 220 amperes or higher and 10,000 volts. Because of such high current?, when the plug element or contact rod l0 is advanced into engagement with the `of the traction circuit controller, comprising the casing l and supported parts, is mounted on the bridge abutment, while the socket unit, comprising the casing 30 and supported parts, together with the indicator circuit controller unit, is mounted on thev bridge. It will be'understood however that the mounting of these parts, t0- gether with the associated bridge locking mechanism, may be reversed as to the bridge and bridge abutment without in any way departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. The combination with a draw-bridge and draw-bridge abutment, of a circuit controller comprising cooperating contact members mounted respectively on lsaid draw-bridge and drawbridge abutment and one being slidably mounted for movement to and from engagement with the other to make and break the circuit, a drawbridge locking device comprising interlocking members also mounted on said draw-bridge and draw-bridge abutment respectively and one being slidably mounted for movement to and from locking engagement with the other, the slidable movement of said locking member being parallel with that ofthe slidable contact member, and an operative connection between said slidable member of the locking device and the slidable contact member of the circuit controller whereby, upon movement of the slidable locking member to and from its operative position of locking engagement with the coop-erative locking member, the

slidable contact member ofthe circuit controller will thereby be operated to engage and disengage with its cooperating contact member.

2. The combination with a draw-bridge and draw-bridge abutment, of circuit controller casings mounted on said draw-bridge and abutment, a circuit controller comprising cooperating contact members mounted respectively in said casings and one being slidable to and from engagement with the other to make and break the circuit, a cover slidably mounted on the casing containing the slidable contact member and connected with the latter for movement in unison therewith whereby it will telescope with the second casing when the contacts are brought into engagement, a draw-bridge locking device comprising interlocking members alsomcunted on said draw-bridge and draw-bridge abutment rcspectively and one being slidably mounted for movement to and from locking engagement with the other, the slidable movement of said locking member being parallellwith that of the slidable contact member, and an operative connection between said slidable member of the locking device and the slidable contact member ofthe circuit controller whereby, upon movement of the slidable locking member to and from its operative position of locking engagement with the cooperative locking member, the slidable contact member of the circuit controller will thereby be operated to engage and disengage with its cooperating contact member.

3. The combination with a draw-bridge and draw-bridge abutment, of an indicator circuit controller comprising cooperating contact members one of which is movable to and from enmeans for-automatically moving said actuating rod in the opposite direction upon the movement of the slidable locking member to unlocked position, the said actuating rod-and slidable locking member being mounted, one on the draw-bridge and the other on the draw-bridge abutment, for independent bodily movement.

4. The combination with a draw-bridge and draw-bridge abutment, of an indicator circuit controller mounted on the draw-bridge and ccmprising two contact devices, including a pair of insulated Contact springs, and a reciprocatable contact rod adapted for alternative engagement and disengagementfat its opposite ends with said contact. springs, a draw-bridge locking device comprising interlocking members mounted on the draw-bridge and draw-bridge abutment respectively and one being slidably mounted for movement to and from locking engagement with the other, an actuating rod slidably mounted for reciprocatory movement, means operatively connecting the reciprocatable controller contact rod with said actua-ting rod to be moved by the latter to and from vengagement with` the cooperating contact devices, said actuating rod being engaged and moved in one direction by the slidable locking member when moved to-locking position, and means for automatically moving said actuating rod in the opposite direction upon the movement of the slidable locking member to interlocking position.

5. The 'combination of a draw-bridge -and draw-bridge abutment with a traction track circuit controller, an indicator and indicator circuit controller serving to indicate the iuctioning of said track circuit controller each of said controllers comprising cooperating contact members, one of said contact members of each controller being slidably mounted for movement to and from engagement with the other to make and break their respective circuits, one contact member of said circuit controller being mounted on said draw-bridge and one being mounted on said abutment; a draw-bridge locking device comprising interlocking members mounted on said draw-bridge and draw-bridge abutment, respectively, and one being slidably mounted for movement to and from locking engagement with the other, and connecting means between said slidable interlocking member and said slidable con-Y tact members, whereby, upon movement of the slidable locking member to and from its operative position of locking engagement with its cooperative locking member, the slidable contact members of said controllers will thereby be operated to engage and disengage with their cooperating contact members.

6. The combination of a draw-bridge and draw-bridge abutment with a draw-bridge locking device, a traction track circuit controller and an indicator and indicator circuit controller serving to indicate the functioning of said track circuit controller, each of said controllers comprising cooperating contact members, one of said contact members of each controller being mounted for movement- -to and. from engagement with the other to make and break their respective circuits; said draw-bridge locking device comprising a locking rod slideable to and from engagement with a socket; a second slideable rod aligned with said locking rod and actuated thereby, said locking rod being operatively connected to one of said movable contact members and said second slidable rod being operatively connected to the other of said members whereby, upon operation of said locking rd, said traction track circuit controller and said indicator controller are simultaneously operated.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein the slideable contact member of said circuit controller comprises a contact rod adapted to slide into and out of engagement with cooperating spring contact fingers, the operative end of said contact rod being provided with insulation to diminish sparking.

8. The combination of claim 3 wherein the movable contact member of said indicator circuit controller comprises a double ended contact rod, the respective ends of which are adapted to slide into and out of engagement with two sets of cooperating spring contact fingers, thereby closing circuits to indicate the position of said draw-bridge locking device.

9. The combination of claim 5 wherein the movable contact members of said traction track circuit controller and said indicator circuit controller comprise contact rods adapted to slide into and out of engagement with cooperating spring contact fingers, the operative end of said contact rod of said track circuit controller being insulated in order to diminish sparking.

10. The combination with a draw-bridge and draw-bridge abutment, of a signal circuit controller comprising cooperating contact members, slidably mounted for movement to and from engagement with another member to operate the signal circuit, a draw-bridge locking device comprising interlocking members mounted on the draw-bridge and draw-bridge abutment, respectively, adapted to be moved to and from interlocking engagement, at least one of said inter` locking members being slidably mounted, the sliding movement of said interlocking member being parallel to that of said slidable contact member, and an operative connection between said slidable member of said locking device and the slidable member of said signal circuit, whereby, upon movement of the slidable interlocking member to and from its operative position of interlocking engagement with the cooperative locking member, the slidable contact member of the signal circuit will thereby be operated to engage and disengage with its cooperating contact member, thereby indicating the position of said interlocking member.

THOMAS GEORGE S'IILES. 

